Dr. Xuemin (Sherman) Shen, University Professor Emeritus in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Waterloo, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the IEEE Canada A.G.L. McNaughton Award, one of the organization’s most prestigious medal distinctions recognizing outstanding contributions to electrical and electronics engineering.
The award citation recognizes Dr. Shen:
“For contributions to wireless and ultra-band communication networks with substantial impact on accessibility, security, and user privacy protection.”
Over the course of his career, Dr. Shen’s research helped drive major advances in wireless communications and networking technologies, contributing to systems that are faster, more secure, more intelligent, and more accessible. His work in areas such as wireless network security, vehicular communications, AI-enabled networks, and the Internet of Things has influenced both academic research and real-world technologies used around the world.
The recognition comes following Dr. Shen’s retirement from ECE in January 2026, marking another milestone in an extraordinary career that has had a lasting impact on the global research community.
This honour adds to a remarkable year of international recognition for Dr. Shen’s research contributions. Research.com recently ranked him first in Canada and 17th globally in Electronics and Electrical Engineering, where he also received the Electronics and Electrical Engineering Leader Award (2025/2026). He was additionally ranked third in Canada and 36th worldwide in Computer Science and recognized with the Computer Science Leader Award (2025/2026).
Earlier this year, Dr. Shen received the Outstanding Contribution Award from the China Computer Federation during the Xiangjiang Forum in Hong Kong. He was also named a 2025 Highly Cited Researcher in Computer Science by the Web of Science Group, a distinction awarded to researchers whose work has demonstrated broad and significant influence within their field.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering congratulates Dr. Shen on this outstanding recognition and celebrates the lasting impact of his contributions to the field.